Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. It's been over a month since the beginning of the conflict in Iran. Since then, the Albanese Labor government has been working around the clock to support Australians affected and to shield Australians from an unprecedented energy supply shock. What actions has the government taken to support and protect Australians?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you to Senator Stewart. The longer this war goes, the worse the impacts will be. Iran's weaponisation of the strait is causing unprecedented energy supply shocks, impacting oil and fuel prices worldwide. Australians know this is pushing fuel prices up for consumers and businesses.

It is why we are acting now to prepare and shield Australians from the worst of it. On Monday, the Prime Minister announced the National Fuel Security Plan, outlining all Australian jurisdictions' collective response to fuel security, including immediate actions already taken and longer term measures to strengthen our economic resilience.

We are empowering Export Finance Australia to step in to support businesses purchasing critical supplies in the national interest so we can secure additional fuel and other strategic materials, including fertiliser. We've appointed a national fuel supply taskforce coordinator and released 20 per cent of Australia's petrol and diesel fuel reserves, targeted at regional areas. We've changed fuel standards to get more fuel flowing and changed diesel standards so Australia's refineries can supply more diesel.

We've tasked the ACCC to ramp up fuel-price monitoring and passed new laws to double penalties for petrol companies. Our decision to halve the fuel excise on petrol and diesel for three months will begin to flow through to users this week, and we have engaged with international partners to keep supply flowing, including agreeing a joint statement with Singapore to strengthen energy supply resilience and to help ensure the continued flow of essential fuels. I acknowledge Minister Tan See Leng, who I was pleased to meet with today, and we welcome him to the chamber. Many of Singapore's refineries that provide Australia's petrol and diesel are powered by Australian gas. Nothing better demonstrates our partnership, how much we rely upon each other and why we are committed to being reliable partners.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Stewart, first supplementary?

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for that response. The Albanese Labor government has taken early action to support Australians through these energy shocks, and it continues to plan for every scenario to support Australians through this challenging period. What else is the government doing to support Australians?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We understand so many Australians have no choice but to rely on petrol, which is why we are asking Australians to use only what they need. As well as reducing the cost of fuel, our government is also reducing the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero for three months to help truckies continue their vital work for our nation, and we've introduced laws to make sure companies pay truckies fairly when fuel prices spike.

The Treasurer and the Minister for Small Business today announced the ATO will provide temporary relief for businesses unable to meet their tax obligations due to fuel supply issues, where appropriate. We will help small business access easier and faster credit by extending the small business responsible lending obligation exemption for a further 10 years. We have acted early and we will continue to act to support Australians through this challenging period.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Stewart, second supplementary?

Jana Stewart (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The crisis in the Middle East has also required engagement with our international partners to support Australians. What has the government done to help bring Australians home and to engage with our international counterparts to advocate for Australia's interests?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Stewart and many others, I am sure, will have had Australians seeking consular advice, and I'm pleased that over 10,000 Australians have now returned home from the Middle East on direct flights since 4 March. I thank regional partners, commercial airlines and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials for helping to bring Australians home. We are continuing to engage with our partners through this conflict to respond to the unprecedented shock in the global economy. We've joined 34 countries in a statement to condemn attacks by Iran and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz. And Australia co-sponsored a decision of the IMO council condemning Iran's attack on seafarers and merchant vessels in the strait. We will remain focused on building our resilience to withstand global shocks, making sovereign choices to keep Australians and our economy moving no matter what the world throws at us. The Prime Minister will have more to say this evening when he addresses the nation.